ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Students, teachers, principals participated in initiation of ‘engage with science’
Science should be communicated in a manner that is inspirational, changes the mindset and attracts larger audience:Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST
A programme has been initiated for engaging students, teachers, principals and leaderships of schools to develop scientific temper and foster a culture of continuous learning as well as to bring science and technology to the forefront.
“There are few programmes in schools to engage with science, and we aim to engage more and more schools through this. It would require key roles to be played by three components --- students, teachers and leaderships of schools and would help catching young minds and nurturing young talents to become assets for the country and society,” said Secretary, Department of Science and Technology,  Professor Ashutosh Sharma at the online initiation programme recently. The programme brought together students, teachers, principals from more than 100 schools across 8 states.
He stressed that science should be communicated in a manner that is inspirational, changes the mindset and attracts larger audience and said that leanings can be taken from DST’s project MANAK which has so far generated 10 lakh ideas by reaching out to 3 lakh schools. An ‘Engage Mentor Dialogue’ session discussed how to make STEM aspirational for school students in 2021, at this programme organized by Vigyan Prasar in partnership with IBM.
Dr Biswajit Saha, Director, Skill & Training, CBSE stressed on the need to develop scientific temper from young age among school children. “These kinds of programmes would help in creating a learning environment in school and encourage inquisitiveness,” he said.
“Schools are the basic foundation and role of teachers and students are very important in encouraging students think scientifically. These kinds of programmes would immensely help nurturing young minds and developing scientific temper” said Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar.
“Technology and science have truly changed and has unified the world. STEM is not about skills only, but also for the change of mindset to truly become atmanirbhar. This programme will forge strong ties with school principals, teachers and students to help bring about that change,” said Sandip Patel, MD, India and South India, IBM,
“Regular interactive sessions would be organised under the programme ‘Engage with Science’ to discuss ways of finding ways to attract young minds towards science and schools,” said Saurav Sen, Consultant, Vigyan Prasar who conducted the session.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
133.88 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 88,993; lowest in 563 days
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.26%; Lowest since March 2020
Recovery Rate currently at 98.37%; Highest since March 2020
7,995 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,41,38,763
5,784 new cases in the last 24 hours, lowest in 571 days
Daily positivity rate  less than 2% for last 71 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 1% for last 30 days
65.76 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on the occasion of Janmashtami
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Janmashtami.
“श्रीकृष्ण जन्माष्टमी के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। Greetings on Janmashtami,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Asha Parekh ji on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Asha Parekh ji on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award.
In a reply to a tweet by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu , the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Asha Parekh Ji is an outstanding film personality. In her long career, she has shown what versatility is. I congratulate her on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award.”
Ministry of Cooperation
Government to announce New Cooperative Policy Soon- Union MoS B. L. Verma
The report of the Suresh Prabhu Committee appointed to prepare the new cooperative policy will be submitted soon and the new policy will be announced immediately, Union Minister of State for Cooperatives B.L. Verma gave today in Pune.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the graduation ceremony of the 55th and 56th batch of Vaikuntha Bhai Mehta National Cooperative Management Institute i.e. Vemonicon in Pune. A total of 118 people were given postgraduate diploma certificates by Verma. Alok Agarwal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Hema Yadav, Director of the organization and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Guiding the present students, Verma further said that although it is a matter of pride that 100 percent of the students graduating from this institution are getting jobs, there is a real need to create entrepreneurs who develop rural areas from this institution. The mantra of prosperity through cooperation will come true at the same time.
On this occasion, Verma expressed his belief that India's economy will soon jump up to 5 trillion dollars and the contribution of the cooperative sector will be the highest.
Stating that the central government is determined to transform the rural areas by establishing a separate ministry for the cooperative sector, Verma informed about the various decisions taken by the center for the growth of the cooperative sector. Varma informed that various working societies in rural India will be given priority to give petrol pumps and gas agencies and godowns will be set up for grain storage in every village. Joint Secretary Alok Agarwal said that the Ministry of Cooperatives has taken many decisions to strengthen the cooperative sector in the country.
Director Hema yadav welcome the programme and registrar v. Sudhir give vote of thanks.
Video link of the programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLck3rV5CAs
Ministry of Finance
Financing standing working capital of Oil Marketing Companies  by long term external borrowings
It has been decided to put in place an arrangement for financing the standing working capital requirements of Oil Marketing Companies  by long-term foreign currency loans. The arrangement will be as follows:
- OMCs will borrow USD 10 billion with a maturity of 5 years in a phased manner, with an initial tranche of USD 4 billion followed by two tranches of USD 3 billion each, all borrowing completed in a period of one year from now.
- OMCs will not be required to hedge their exposure.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
National Level Orientation Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2021 for NE States organised in Guwahati
Developmental Schemes of the Central Government must reach to grassroot level : Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil
The Developmental schemes of the Central Government must reach to grassroot level, said Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil, Minister of State for Panchayti Raj, while giving the key note address in the National Level Orientation Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2021 for North Eastern States organised here today.
He said that Gram Panchayats are working hard for the betterment of rural population of the country. He mentioned that women self help groups are working efficiently in Northeast zone. He urged the participants to include more women in Gram Sabhas so that they can highlight their problems and take benefits of the government schemes.
Shri Patil also emphasized for the proper dissemination of information of developmental schemes so that the rural mass could be well aware to take benefits of the schemes.
People’s Plan Campaign titled ‘Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas’ was launched for inclusive and holistic preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan  . The objectives of ‘Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas’ broadly include strengthening of elected representatives and Self Help Groups,
The daylong workshop was organised by NIRDPR-NERC, Guwahati in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Ministry. The workshop was attended by participants from eight North Eastern States who shared their experiences of People’s Plan Campaign 2020.
Prime Minister's Office
The Jaffna Cultural Center is an important initiative signifying the close cultural cooperation between India and Sri Lanka: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called dedication of The Jaffna Cultural Center today an important initiative and acknowledged the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the occasion. The Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone of the Center in 2015 and shared some pictures from that special visit.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"The Jaffna Cultural Center is an important initiative signifying the close cultural cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. It will benefit several people. The august presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe made the programme even more special.
I will never forget my special visit to Jaffna in 2015, where I had the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for the Jaffna Cultural Centre. Here are some glimpses from that visit.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari performs bhoomi-pujan of flyover in Pune today
New Highway Project connecting Pune and Bengaluru proposed at a cost of around Rs. 40,000 crores: Nitin Gadkari
Centre contemplating a highway to connect Nariman Point, Mumbai with New Delhi: Nitin Gadkari
: Pune/Mumbai, September 24, 2021
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari performed bhoomi-pujan of proposed flyover connecting Rajaram Bridge on Sinhagad Road and Fun Time Cinema Hall in Pune, today .
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gadkari expressed satisfaction about the speed with which Pune Metro work is going on. The Minister said, the state government should take care of land acquisition for Ring Road which is crucial for reducing pollution in the city. He assured that the Centre will bear the entire cost of the project and complete it. He stressed on the need of enhancing the metro rail network in Pune to check air, water and sound pollution.
Shri Gadkari informed that a new highway connecting Pune and Bengaluru has been proposed and the cost of the project would be around Rs. 40,000 crores, while the Central Government was contemplating connecting Nariman Point in Mumbai to New Delhi by a Highway. Shri Gadkari also informed that a provision of Rs. 50,000 crore has been sanctioned for the road between Talegaon and Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. He further said, number of ethanol run vehicles is bound to go up in future. The civic administration should prepare for the same with sufficient number of ethanol-filling stations in the city.
The Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Pune district, Shri Ajit Pawar, Member of Parliament Shri Girish Bapat, Deputy Chairperson of State Legislative Council Smt. Neelam Gorhe, Mayor of Pune Shri Murlidhar Mohol, MLA Smt. Madhuri Misal, MLA Shri Bheemrao Tapkir were present amongst the dignitaries on the occasion.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Technical Cooperation with Switzerland on Climate Change
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India represented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Government of Switzerland represented by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on Technical Cooperation in the field of Climate Change and Environment was signed on 13.09.2019. The MoU will remain in effect for a five-year period, and may be renewed for similar periods, as agreed upon by the Parties. The MoU identifies several areas of cooperation including capacity building on Climate Change and sustainable water management; sustainable forest management; sustainable development of mountainous regions; environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development; air, land and water pollution; clean and renewable energy and climate change risk management.
The objective of the MoU is to enhance technical cooperation between India and Switzerland in the fields of Climate Change and Environment on a basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. MoU takes into consideration the shared concerns of both countries for the changing climate and interest in achieving sustainable development. The MoU shall facilitate exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowhow between both the nations in the areas of cooperation on Environment. The MoU also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
This information was provided by Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Babul Supriyo in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
GUIDELINES TO ESTABLISH NEW SAINIK SCHOOLS
The Government has approved an initiative for setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs/Private/State Government Schools in all States/UTs. Details of 18 New Sainik Schools with whom Sainik Schools Society has signed Memorandum of Agreement  under this scheme are as follows:
|
|
S No
|
|
State/UT
|
|
Number of approved New Sainik Schools with whom Sainik Schools Society signed Memorandum of Agreement
|
|
1.
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
2
|
|
2.
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
2
|
|
3.
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
4.
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
2
|
|
5.
|
|
Haryana
|
|
2
|
|
6.
|
|
Bihar
|
|
2
|
|
7.
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
8.
|
|
Punjab
|
|
1
|
|
9.
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
10.
|
|
Kerala
|
|
1
|
|
11.
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
1
|
|
12.
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
13.
|
|
Dadra And Nagar Haveli
|
|
1
While the new initiative envisages provision of all necessary infrastructure, faculty etc. prescribed for new Sainik Schools in partnership mode by the entity  setting and operating it, an annual fee support on Merit-Cum-Means basis up to 50% support  for up to 50% of class-strength  for the approved school, will be provided by Government of India through Sainik Schools Society.
The guidelines to establish New Sainik Schools have been set by the Government, and approval of New Sainik Schools under this initiative is subject to meeting of qualifying requirements framed for the purpose, compliance to the approved bye-laws and signing of Memorandum of Agreement with Sainik Schools Society. The guidelines are available on the portal www.sainikschool.ncog.gov.in.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri DK Suresh and Shrimati Sumalatha Ambareesh in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Delhi and Haryana
The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 09.11.2021 in the case of a Fintech company providing instant short term personal loan through Mobile App. The searches were conducted on the business and residential premises in Delhi and Gurugram.
During the search, it was revealed that the company has been allegedly charging very high processing fee at the time of disbursement of loans. This results into effective higher burden of compensation on the borrowers. The said company is held by a group based in Cayman Island, ultimately controlled by an individual of a neighboring country. The company has brought in India nominal initial capital by way of Foreign Direct Investment  but took substantial working capital loans from Indian banks. The business model of the company results in high rotation of capital which is evidenced by turnover of Rs. 10,000 crore in its first year of operation.
It is seen that repatriation of about Rs. 500 crore has been made by it to its overseas group companies under the pretext of buying of services in two years. However, evidence gathered during the search has revealed that such remittances made to the group companies are either highly inflated or non-genuine. Evidences found also indicate that internal web-based application for lending business was controlled from outside India. During the search proceedings, statements of key persons including foreign nationals have been recorded.
Further investigations are in progress.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to address Doctors on National Doctors Day tomorrow
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will address Doctors on National Doctors Day tomorrow, 1st July, 2021 at 3 PM.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctors community at a programme organised by @IMAIndiaOrg."
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister inaugurates “Waste to Wonder” Park in South Delhi
The park sets an example of creation of ‘Wealth from waste', says Shri Rajnath Singh
A Smart City cannot be imagined without a proper waste disposal and recycling system, says the Minister
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh said that waste disposal should be done properly for which the Municipal corporations will have to play a lead role. He was speaking at the inauguration of the “Waste to Wonder” Park under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation  here today.
While giving suggestions to the Municipal corporations for waste disposal, the Home Minister said that this park has set an example for others, as for the first time scrap has been used to create ‘Wealth from waste’. The efforts should be made towards behavioural change of the people and proper arrangement should be made for waste disposal, he said. He added that a system should be developed for recycling of waste that can be reused. The products which cannot be recycled should be minimally used. Shri Rajnath Singh said that new ideas should be developed on how waste can be used in an innovative manner as was done by SDMC. He appreciated the dedication of the artists and officials involved in the endeavor who have completed the task of Wonder park in just 6 months.
On the occasion, the Union Home Minister paid tributes to the martyrs of Pulwama where CRPF jawans made supreme sacrifice.
Shri Rajnath Singh said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Swachh Bharat Mission has become a mass movement that has brought about perceptible changes among the people and resulted in targeted behavioural changes towards cleanliness and hygiene. “We cannot imagine a Smart City without a proper waste disposal and recycling system,” he said.
The Home Minister appreciated that today all municipal bodies are competing among themselves for Swachh Sarvekshan. He lauded SDMC for improving its rank from 202 to 32 in Swachh Sarvekshan, 2018 ranking.
Praising the SDMC for several environment friendly initiatives such as the use of solar panels, LED street light project and achieving 100% ODF  target. He called upon all other municipal bodies to adopt the Best Practices for Sustainable Development.
The main attractions of the “Seven Wonders Park” are the different sized tall replicas of the Taj Mahal , the Great Pyramid of Giza , the Eiffel Tower , the Leaning Tower of Pisa , Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue , Rome’s Colosseum , and New York’s Statute of Liberty . The seven replicas have been made with the scrap of automobile parts and other metal waste like fans, rods, iron sheets, nut- bolts, bicycle & bike parts, defunct sewer lines and age old appliances gathering dust in the 24 Municipal Stores. In all 150 ton scrap/waste has been used.
On the occasion, the Home Minister also presented appreciation letters to the artists involved in the establishment of waste to wonder park.
The Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri Anil Baijal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Preventive Measures to Curb Road Accidents
Ministry has defined Protocol for identification of Blackspot as per the circular no. RW/NH15017/109/2015-P&M  Dated 28.10.2015. As per this circular, Road Accident Black-spot is a stretch of National Highway of about 500 m in length in which either 5 road accidents  took place during the last 3 calendar years or 10 fatalities  took place during the last 3 calendar years. Based on Road accidents data collected by police departments of State Governments and compiled by Transport Research Wing  of this Ministry, Blackspots are identified for undertaking immediate short term measures for mitigation and long term measures for permanent rectification.
The action is taken by implementing agencies NHAI, NHIDCL and NH wings of State PWD against DPR Consultant, Authority Engineer and Independent Engineer for poor project preparation and lack of supervision as per provisions of Contract agreement with the Consultancy firm. The deterrent action includes Replacement of Team leader/Key Personnel, imposition of penalty and debarring of firm/key personnel for a specified period.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Awareness about Malnutrition among Women
The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children under 6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. A novel feature of POSHAN Abhiyaan has been its focus on social and behavioural change communications thus paving the way for a mass movement to promote transformative change, referred to as Jan Andolan. An important focus has therefore been on ‘Behaviour Change Communication’ or BCC to address inadequate and inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices, nutrition and care during pregnancy and adolescence.
Community Based Events or CBEs have served as a significant strategy in changing nutrition practices. CBEs help to celebrate critical milestones in the life of pregnant women and children below two years of age. The gatherings serve as a platform for disseminating essential messages and to counsel pregnant and lactating women, and their husbands/mothers-in-law on appropriate nutrition and health behaviour. The events are organised every month at the Anganwadi centres  and primarily focus on promotion of maternal nutrition  and/ or initiation of appropriate complementary feeding .
At a national level, the Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated in the month of September across the country while Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated in the month of March. Themes have included overall nutrition, hygiene, water and sanitation, anaemia prevention, importance of breast-feeding, growth monitoring, role of Poshan Panchayats, AYUSH for Well-being, ‘Back to Basics – Yoga for Health’, importance of Poshan Vatikas for cultivation of local vegetables, medicinal plants/herbs and fruits at the community level, Poshan ke Paanch Sutra, cycle rallies, defeat diarrhoea campaigns, Nukkad Natak/Folk Shows, SHG meetings, etc. More than 40 crore activities have been carried out under Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada and 3.70 lakh CBEs have been conducted since the launch of the Abhiyaan across the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes success to Poshan Pakhwada
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed happiness over the focus on Shree Anna  in the annual Poshan Pakhwada, beginning today.
In reply to the Union Minister Smt Smriti Z Irani, the Prime Minister tweeted.
"May the Poshan Pakhwada help spread awareness on proper nutrition and removing the menace of malnutrition. Glad to see a focus on Shree Anna , which can play a big role in furthering healthy living."